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1. Ray of Light 5 minutes and 5 seconds

Product Details

* Audio CD (March 3, 1998)
* Original Release Date: March 3, 1998
* Number of Discs: 1
* Label: Warner Bros / Wea
* Catalog Number: 46847
* ASIN: B000002NJS
* Other Editions: Audio Cassette
* Average Customer Review: based on 763 reviews. (Write a review.)
* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #519 in Music (See Top Sellers in Music)
Yesterday: #1,200 in Music

Listen to Samples
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1. Drowned World/Substitute For Love Listen Listen
2. Swim Listen Listen
3. Ray Of Light Listen
4. Candy Perfume Girl Listen Listen
5. Skin Listen Listen
6. Nothing Really Matters Listen Listen
7. Sky Fits Heaven Listen Listen
8. Shanti/Ashtangi Listen Listen
9. Frozen Listen Listen
10. The Power Of Good-Bye Listen Listen
11. To Have And Not To Hold Listen Listen
12. Little Star Listen Listen
13. Mer Girl Listen Listen

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Never underestimate Madonna's power of persuasion: By nearly all critical accounts, Ray of Light, Madonna's first album of new material since 1994's Bedtime Stories, and her first since motherhood, is her richest, most accomplished record yet. While Ray of Light is being tagged as Madonna's big leap into electronica, it's important to note two things: First, her music has always had close ties to dance culture, and, second, her collaborator William Orbit is no Chemical Brother. Though it has all the latest blips, bleeps, and crackles electronica has to offer, Ray of Light is still largely an adult album, completely within Madonna's realm. Still, Orbit's tasteful sonic constructions provide Madonna with her most adventurous, hippest musical backdrop ever. What's more, the arrangements and production are understated enough to highlight an even bigger development: Fresh from singing lessons on the Evita set, Madonna's vocal range, depth, and clarity have never been stronger. But larger pipes don't necessarily make for deeper, truer music. Never a master lyricist, Madonna's words have worked best when they've practically been slogans ("Vogue," "Express Yourself"). This time she goes for more emotional depth, and even tries her hand at ethno-techno-mysticism ("Shanti/Ashtangi"). She largely stumbles, however. The tone conveyed on songs like "Nothing Really Matters" is a self-centered pat on the back that belies her claim to a newfound altruism. It's enough to make you wonder, now that Madonna's given up being our material girl, if maybe she's set her sights on becoming the center of our spiritual world too. --Roni Sarig

People
[ Ray of Light ] delivers 67 minutes of complex, challenging and ultimately entrancing music without so much as breathing heavily.... [Madonna] sings here in a voice grown deeper and fuller about the emptiness of fame and pleasure ... and the rewards of mystic pursuits.... [S]he peppers her songs with apocalyptic visions of death and rebirth, sin, salvation and transcendence....
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22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
Do not underestimate the power of Madonna!, August 8, 2000
Reviewer: ChicBookFiend - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)
Madonna has managed to manipulate the media with her outspoken nature and undeniable wit. She has also kept people in suspense by constantly changing her look. People have wanted her career to end, but she is still around and will be around for a long time. Also, some Madonna fans aren't sure that they like her new sound. Do not underestimate Madonna, for she has always managed to surprise us.

Ray of Light is the most artistic and creative album Madonna has ever recorded. Instead of trying a new look (although she did), she decided to try a new sound. Ray of Light is filled with electronic music and edgy dance songs. The result is brilliant. Her voice is stronger than ever and her sound is a lot more refined -- very different from the pop ditties she recorded in the past. Yes, she is not as outspoken as she used to be, but then again she has evolved as a person and as an artist. I love "The Power of Goodbye"; the lyrics are very touching. I also like "Ray of Light," "Frozen," "Nothing Really Matters," and "Skin." The songs have a common theme: spirituality and self-discovery.

I urge you to purchase this incredible CD. And for all of you reluctant Madonna fans out there: Madonna is better than ever. Give this CD a whirl.